Reiki is a natural
system of energy healing. It is done by placing the hands on or near
the recipient. The practitioner runs Reiki Energy while placing their
hands on or over a series of locations on the recipients body. This
energy is the life force that permeates the universe. Practitioners
can also work remotely. Remote techniques are usually taught at the
second degree level.
The process of doing Reiki treatment is
thought of as "laying on of hands" or "spiritual
healing" and is considered to be a metaphysical phenomenon.

Reiki also has elements based on the traditions of Asian
medicine and martial arts which have given rise to acupuncture, chi
gong, tai chi and similar practices.
Reiki is related to some
practices of Chinese Medicine, Chi gong and other Holistic Medicine
and modes. Reiki is somewhat of a fusion of spiritual healing and
some traditional Asian medical, spiritual and health practices. The
hand placements correspond to some of those points used in
Acupuncture and other practices but no needles, pressure or massage
is used.

Reiki flows through the practitioner but is not
generated by the practitioner. Giving treatments does not deplete the
Reiki practitioners own energy supplies. Advanced practitioners can
do treatments without physical contact.

Mikao Usui Developed the Reiki Universal Healing
Energy system after years of study of spiritual healing of many
kinds. He received the ability to heal with Reiki energy during a
spiritual initiation after long fasting and meditation on one of
Japan's Many sacred mountains.

What does Reiki do?

Reiki can help
alleviate suffering, whether it be of a physical, emotional, mental
or spiritual nature. This means that Reiki can heal. This statement
is not a guarantee or a promise that someone will be relieved of any
ailment whatsoever with a single or with multiple Reiki treatments.
In most cases Reiki does enhance the effects of medical treatment
when used in conjunction with it. An underlying principle of Reiki is
that it can do no harm and cannot be used for any harmful purpose.
When we speak of healing a well physical body may be the first
thing that comes to mind. However the root meaning of the word is
whole. The practice of healing is that of becoming whole on all
levels of being including the physical, emotional, mental, and
spiritual levels.

Illness happens when the mind, body and spirit
become unbalanced. True wellness is reached only by returning the
entire being to harmony and balance with itself and with the Earth
and the Universe. We begin healing by finding our desire to be well
and whole. Without the motivation to be well and the intention to act
in our own behalf we can not become well. Reiki is a means to
empowering us to become whole in all ways.

Another Purpose
of Reiki Is to help enhance personal and spiritual evolution. Reiki
will help to assist us on the path to enlightenment. Reiki is not
affiliated with any one spiritual path and will work for anyone.
Having Reiki does not guarantee enlightenment either.
To get
Reiki either means to receive Reiki treatment from a practitioner or
to learn to practice Reiki. Reiki treatment may be received from any
Reiki practitioner .

Reiki treatment enhances the body's natural ability
to heal itself. It increases vitality and stamina. It works
throughout the body, on the mind, emotions, spiritual essence and
aura. Reiki treatment releases blocked energy, promotes relaxation
and reduces stress.
Reiki energy has a degree of innate
intelligence and goes wherever most needed in the body and aura. It
helps to cleanse the body of energetic and physical toxins. Reiki can
over time, enhance stamina, intuition, meditation and spiritual
evolution.
Reiki works on people, plants, animals and even
machines. Reiki can be used in Earth healing and to transmit healing
energy for treatment of situations, world events etc.. Reiki will
work for you personally and is also a tool you can use to help
others.

Reiki and other subtle healing energies are valuable
tools for anyone whether they have health, emotional, mental, or
spiritual issues or only want to empower their personal evolution.

Many people like to get regular hands on Reiki
treatments as a refreshing and relaxing treat for themselves, in the
same way that they might get a massage or a facial, a guided
visualization session or a mud bath. Reiki can be a door to a higher
part of your own spiritual being. Reiki treatment and practice can
increase the flow of higher vibrations of energy through your aura
and into the physical body.

Reiki energy works to harmonize, or bring into
balance, the total you: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
You do have to actively use Reiki or get treatments to receive its
benefits. Reiki treatment is available from many Reiki practitioners.

The use of Reiki as a relaxation and stress reducing
technique is becoming accepted and widespread. In addition to its use
in supporting treatment of illness and injury. Reiki enhances other
body work and healing techniques and sports performance as well as
assisting with spiritual development.

Science is reluctant to accept the validity of
energy work but double blind studies have often shown significant and
accelerated improvement from energy treatments of many different
forms. Kirilian and aura photos also show significant changes before
and after Reiki treatments .

To learn to practice and share Reiki with others
yourself, you must receive attunement from a Reiki Teacher. You can
learn to give Reiki treatments to yourself, family and friends.
Animals, plants etc. Some people use Reiki on appliances. The Reiki
energy treats and energizes you even while you are treating others.

Many people like
to get regular hands on Reiki treatments as a refreshing and
relaxing treat for themselves, in the same way that they might
get a massage or a facial, a guided visualization session or a mud
bath. Reiki can be a door to a higher part of your own spiritual
being. Reiki treatment and practice can increase the flow of higher
vibrations of energy through your aura and into the physical body.

Reiki energy works
to harmonize, or bring into balance, the total you: physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual. You do have to actively use Reiki or
get treatments to receive its benefits. Reiki treatment is available
from many Reiki practitioners.

The use of Reiki
as a relaxation and stress reducing technique is becoming accepted
and widespread. In addition to its use in supporting treatment of
illness and injury. Reiki enhances other body work and healing
techniques and sports performance as well as assisting with spiritual
development.

Science is
reluctant to accept the validity of energy work but double blind
studies have often shown significant and accelerated improvement from
energy treatments of many different forms. Kirilian and aura photos
also show significant changes before and after Reiki treatments .

To learn to
practice and share Reiki with others yourself, you must receive
attunement from a Reiki Teacher. You can learn to give Reiki
treatments to yourself, family and friends. Animals, plants etc. Some
people use Reiki on appliances. The Reiki energy treats and energizes
you even while you are treating others.

Sometimes people
have unreasonable expectations of Reiki both as clients and as
practitioners. Reiki does not often confer an instant miraculous cure
of any condition. Reiki works with you to restore energetic balance
and repair things like blockages and tears in the energy field which
create disease and unhappiness. This can take time.
Mrs. Takata,
who introduced Reiki to the West received treatment daily for months.
People often receive great benefit from a single treatment.
Conditions which have taken years to form and manifest as disease are
likely to require consistent treatment over a period of time.
Certainly any Reiki treatment is good, even a single short one but
for most the greatest effect comes from frequent treatment.
Practitioners are urged to self treat daily.

While not be
practical for a client to come daily for months as might have been
done at Hayashi Sensei's clinic or for the practitioner to move in
with a client for weeks or months as Mrs. Takata is said to have done
on occasion. A series of treatments is recommended for many
conditions and often family members can receive attunement so that
they may provide the treatment as needed.

What is a Reiki
attunement?

This is the process by which the Reiki
teacher (often called a Reiki Master) passes on the ability to
channel the Reiki energy. This involves a process of clearing any
blocks to Reiki in your aura and connecting you to the ability to run
Reiki energy by means of a direct transmission to your energy body
(aura) There are many different energy systems that use attunement.
Reiki is one of the most well Known and is an excellent basic all
purpose system. It is easy to learn and is not burdened with a lot of
esotericism or dogma.

An attunement
is usually given during instruction in the various techniques
involved in
practicing Reiki. Reiki is most often taught in three
levels designated I, II and III, with III being the Master level. In
level one people are taught basic techniques for hands on treatment
for self and others. In Level two one learns techniques for remote
healing and receives attunement for using symbols to activate
specific functions for mental and emotional healing and for
increasing the connection and effect of Reiki. Level three adds a
spiritual or intuitive healing energy function and the ability to
attune others to use Reiki themselves.

In some Reiki
systems there is a Master level distinct from the Teacher (or
Master/Teacher) level. To learn to pass on atonements
one must undertake a further teacher level. Some teachers teach and
transmit a unified Reiki attunement which includes all the functions
of the three level system.

Each level
requires an attunement or set of atonements.
As one progresses through the levels there can be a distinct and
noticeable difference in the perception of effects and sensations of
both the practitioner and the client . As one progresses through the
levels one is taught the Reiki symbols which can be (and generally
are) used in giving a Reiki treatment. The symbols are usually
explored in the second Reiki level.

Being a Reiki Master is
not a sign or guarantee of a person's moral fiber upstanding
behavior, or any form of emotional or spiritual development. Reiki
Masters are as human as anyone else.

About Healing Energy

There are many
systems of energy healing , hands on and remote healing. They all use
aspects of the universal life Force energy that Permeates the
universe and the entire reality. This Energy is known by many names,
Prana, Mana, Chi, KI, Orgone energy, Bioenergetic plasma, Divine
breath, Cosmic Pulse, Vital Fire, among them.

Even in those
systems that call directly on spiritual entities, Angels, Healing
guides and so forth, the actual healing is effected by aspects of the
universal energy.

Most cultures seem to have at least one
name for it even those that do not officially
acknowledge it as
real. Different cultures develop different ways of working with
energy
and different needs evoke different frequencies,
techniques and explanations for that work. A Hawaiian system, a
Tibetan system, and a Hindu system of energy work will each be
different. Yet each still works with the universal life force.

Reiki is a system
of energy healing that was discovered, defined and developed in
Japan. Therefore It uses elements derived from Japanese culture such
as Shinto, Esoteric Buddhism and the traditional medicine of Japan
and China to explain how it works and to define its goals. The
traditional definitions and explanations of Reiki practice have as an
underlying base many of the accepted cultural premises of Japan. This
may include elements which seem strange or opaque to people who have
not been immersed in that culture from birth.

Reiki is not
religious. There is no dogma involved with Reiki, well not much
anyway.
Most of what could be called Reiki dogma does not
actually effect the practical use of
Reiki in the real world.
Being attuned to Reiki does not entail any conversion or adoption of
spiritual beliefs or practices from any religion or particular set of
beliefs. Reiki and other energy healing modes will harmonize with
most spiritual belief systems that allow for the existence of energy
work.

What
is Reiki?
The simplest definition of the word Reiki is
Universal or Spiritual (Rei)- Life Force or Energy (Ki). The Reiki
system is a simple and powerful system of energy work that anyone can
learn to use for developing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
harmony and wholeness in themselves and for assisting others.

Reiki functions on
the energy body first, usually following the same channels used in
acupuncture and acupressure, chi gong and other traditional Asian
Medical and healing modes but not limited to them.

The practitioner
uses the Reiki energy to help people move & balance energy,
remove blocks and repair tears in the aura and help restore well
being. Advanced practitioners are able to give treatments without
touching the recipient and even send treatments great distances, even
to people on other continents .

Reiki is a system
of energy healing from Japan using methods transmitted to and
received by Mikao Usui, legendarily at the end of a 21 day fast and
meditation in Japan.

Reiki is a simple
and powerful system of laying on of hands and remote healing that can
transform lives. The Usui System of Natural Healing was introduced to
the West by Mrs. Hawayo Takata, from Hawaii, who received Reiki
Attunements From Dr. Hayashi.

Dr Hayashi had a Reiki clinic
in Tokyo. Mrs. Takata was visiting relatives in Japan and had
successful treatments for a chronic illness at Dr. Hayashis' Clinic.
Dr. Hayashi is credited with formalizing the system of hand positions
and levels for use in a more clinical health oriented practice. Usui
Sensei intended his system to assist people to become enlightened.
Physical healing was a side effect rather than the end goal.

The ability to heal physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
imbalances with energy
channeled through the hands has been
viewed as a rare and mystical gift requiring great
spiritual
achievement. However this simply is not true. Reiki is almost as
easily learned as learning to tie your shoes.

Healing energy can
be channeled by any one. This ability can be acquired by energetic
transmission from one person to another. These transmissions are
called attunements or empowerment or sometimes initiations. They
remove blocks in the aura and allow the healing energies that
surround us to come in through our crown chakra and flow through our
bodies and out our hands to where they are needed. This is not the
only path for the Reiki healing energies but only the most common or
most easily sensed.

The ability to
channel the specific healing energy Functions we call Reiki is
received from a process called Attunement, a direct transmission of
the ability to channel Reiki and the clearing of energetic blocks to
that ability guided by a Reiki Teacher ( Reiki Master) into the
personal energy field of the recipient. The attunements open the palm
chakras and energy channels if this is needed and connect you to the
specific Reiki Shakti healing frequencies. The attunements also allow
us to direct these energies for specific purposes.

Anyone can get
these attunements and channel Reiki, it requires no special abilities
and is a reliable way of doing healing treatments for yourself and
others. Reiki has traditionally been used for treatment of physical
issues and to compliment allopathic health treatments and practices.

Reiki is not a
substitute for Medical treatment nor is it a diagnostic system. Reiki
is an intelligent energy of love and wholeness. When you use Reiki
you find many more ways to work with and gain value from it. The
possible ways and systems for working with universal life force
energy are infinite.

About
Attunement

Anyone can be attuned to Reiki. In order for
anyone to personally connect with Reiki and use this energy system
for themselves and for others they must receive an attunement
(sometimes called initiation or empowerment). This is a
transformation to the energy field (aura) Which opens, clears and
connects the recipient to the ability to use the universal energy.
This is not a step to be taken lightly. This attunement should be
considered permanent.

The regular use of
Reiki is required to continue the accelerated personal spiritual
development the Reiki helps make possible. The person should have
a sincere desire to
help themselves and a willingness to practice
and use Reiki for the benefit of all life.

Many people can
feel attunement as It is done, as heat or waves of energy flowing
into their body or they may see light or even images or hear music.
Many people do not have any such experience at all, other than
perhaps feeling both more relaxed and energized than usual. Most
people but not all who regularly feel subtle energies are able to
feel some of the energy coming in.

Many people choose
to fast or refrain from eating meat or smoking before being attuned
to Reiki. This is not essential. You must be sober to receive
attunement, other than that all one really has to do is to want to
receive and accept the attunement from the Reiki teacher. It helps to
be in a meditative receptive state at the time the attunements are
done.

Some people seem
to reach out and actively pull the attunement in and others are more
passive recipients . You could refuse to accept an attunement. You
cannot be attuned against your will. The Reiki teacher will explain
what you may experience during the attunement and tell you where to
sit and any particular hand position she wants you to hold. You may
be asked to close your eyes during the attunement.

There are a number
of different methods for passing attunements. Many Reiki Teachers use
a ritual method which can includes some physical contact . They may
draw symbols on the receivers hands crown and heart and place them
into the aura. Some teachers use direct transmission attunements
which do not require physical contract or overt ritual . Direct
transmission attunements are usually done with the teacher and
participants sitting in a circle or facing each other.

The
Japanese Reiki School founded by students of Mikao Usui still uses a
Reiju empowerment which involves participation in frequent
meditations during which you acquire the ability to use Reiki
gradually. Attunements are used in Reiki and many other energy work
systems because they allow people to open to use energies much faster
than would be possible without them.

Post Attunement
"Detoxification"

It is recommended that you
Drink lots of water after an attunement. Many people find that they
need to increase water intake permanently after being attuned to any
system of healing energy. Attunements and treatments begin the
recipient's personal healing immediately. This sometimes shows up as
symptoms of physical or emotional release such as an excess of Gas,
diarrhea or moodiness. This has been called detoxification. Most
people do not have any noticeable effects of this kind. A few people
have reported a lot of emotional processing for up to 3 weeks or 21
days after an Attunements. Some people report having unusually vivid
dreams just after the attunement.

Anyone who does
have a detoxification reaction is encouraged to self treat with Reiki
often and to contact their Reiki teacher for help. Any unusual
,severe, or continuing discomfort should be referred to an
appropriate medical professional. It may not have any direct
relationship to the attunement at all . Anyone getting Reiki
treatments and or attunements is encouraged to drink lots of water.
This often reduces or eliminates any so called detoxification
symptoms.

Everyone should be
reminded that in some cases the release of toxins or energetic or
physical realignments will cause them to feel worse for a short time
before they feel better. Some people may feel somewhat uncomfortable
when chronic physical ,emotional or mental conditions are alleviated
because they are unaccustomed to feeling well.

Normal reactions
to events that occur and emotions that surface during the period just
after attunement are sometimes attributed to detoxification when they
might really be simply due to a freer expression and an enhanced
awareness of feelings which can be an effect of attunements .

Using
Reiki

Once you have been attuned you will want to learn
how to activate and use your Reiki. First degree Reiki is activated
by intention, that is you intend or mentally command it to run. Many
people use a mental instruction such as Reiki On! or Reiki now! Reiki
may turn on when it is needed even without your conscious intention.
Only a slight amount of attention is needed to keep Reiki flowing.
It does not involve mental strain or intense will, just a subtle
intention and willingness. You are not pushing the Reiki energy, you
are allowing it to flow through you like water flows through a hose.

Not every one
feels Subtle energies. Once you have been attuned the Reiki will run
even if you are not able to feel it. Sometimes it takes a while
before one really feels it running . Whether or not you get hot hands
or buzzing or other physical signs of Reiki activation it will work.
Reiki is subtle energy.

The energy
generally comes into the crown and runs down the arms to the hands
and from there to where needed and/or directed. This seems to be the
standard flow pattern For Reiki and many other healing energy
systems. This is not the only flow pattern
just the most common. It is also possible to bring in the energy by
other channels but crown to hands is usually easiest and most
comfortable. Just want the energy to run. think/intend that it turn
on. One may also sense Reiki as flowing directly from source to the
recipient without actually passing through
you.

The basic Reiki
energy has always been intention activated. The most important thing
is to use Reiki often . The more you use it the more comfortable,
confident and skilled you will become. While the standard formal
treatment uses both hands you can also give informal Reiki treatments
just by placing one hand in contact . You may find the you can run
Reiki from your feet or other location if its needed. You can just
put your hand on your own body and give yourself a simple treatment
any time you wish.

At first you may
want to prove to yourself and others that it works. This can cause
you to use your own personal energy rather than Reiki . Using your
own energy might make you feel tired after giving a treatment .
Usually the Reiki practitioner feels rested and revitalized after the
treatment.

You might
experience normal tiredness from standing a long time if you are not
used to doing so. Any unusual tiredness usually indicates that the
practitioner has been forcing the energy or pushing with personal
will rather than allowing the Reiki energies to flow naturally.

The effectiveness
of Reiki and other energy systems could be modified by the
practitioners and clients expectations. The limits that they put on
the energy with the concepts they hold about what the work can and
should do can effect the experienced results. Therefore it is
Particularly important that while you are doing treatments you allow
the energy to work. Hold the intention that it work for the highest
good of the client.

I begin most
sessions by mentally stating what the perceived situation is and
whether the client is in pain. If there is pain involved I ask for
Pain relief to be part of the treatment. I have set up a signal
system with my guides and solar angel or intuition to alert me when
it is not appropriate to focus any energy on pain relief (if the pain
is serving a vital function).

Belief in, or practice of, a
spiritual or religious system is not required for the effective
practice of Reiki. (While many Reiki practitioners work with guides
or angels it is not a practice intrinsic to or required for Reiki).
Personal intuition will guide you as you learn to be aware of it and
trust it. Naturally Intuition alone does not substitute for a basic
understanding of energy work and the techniques for treatment.

The Reiki energy
is in most cases allowed to flow to where it chooses. It can be
directed but it is strongly recommend that you do not try to do this
at first and never exclusively. You may be unaware of the true cause
of a difficulty and may mentally prevent the Reiki from doing the
most good by pushing it where you want it to flow. At first you may
need to remind yourself quite often to allow the flow rather than
push it with will.

Reiki uses the Ki
or Universal life force energy to effect changes and remove blocks in
the energy body which promotes the return of and maintenance of well
being and health. As you continue to practice You will probably
develop an awareness of the condition of the energy field and may
over time realize what diseases may have manifested from the feel of
the clients energy body.

As a Reiki
practitioner you do not diagnose, nor do you heal others. You must
take care not to alarm the client nor to violate laws against
diagnosis by non medical professionals. You may ask questions, make
suggestions, or suggest they see a Doctor about areas of concern.

You provide a
connection for the universal life force to work actively with you and
empower the receiver. Energy healing is most effective when the
person getting treatment is an active participant in the process.
Encourage your client to actively invite the Reiki to heal them to
the highest degree possible. This is more effective than passively
having an attitude of being done to.

Reiki teachings in
the West were passed on until quite recently without written
materials or notes. Even the practice writing of the complex symbols
traditionally used in second and third degree Reiki were destroyed
after the training sessions. This was not the practice in Japan. Many
books are now available with information and theories about Reiki.

Self
Treatment

Reiki can be used for your own healing as well
as for others. This is one thing that differentiates Reiki from many
other energy healing systems. Treating yourself is an excellent way
to become familiar with using Reiki. It it highly recommended that
practitioners give themselves a treatment frequently. I recommend
that you give yourself treatments daily, if possible, particularly in
the beginning of your practice. This will also help clear up any
detoxification symptoms that do occur.

Self treatment can
be done either by putting your hands on your body in adaptations of
the standard hand placements. Treatment on the front only will be
fine, although you can do versions of some back positions on
yourself. You can also just rest your hands on your legs or other
accessible location and run the Reiki, actually just putting your
hands down against your body any where that is comfortable will work.

Reiki will go to
where it is needed. I find that it works fine just to turn on Reiki
and let it run, after all, you are in your body. That means that you
are touching it. Whatever your Reiki level is, using the hand
positions will probably give you more sensory confirmation than a
remote treatment and may well work faster on each specific area.

You can place your
hands on the front of your body with the mental intention that you
are treating the back position. The
positions for self treating the back can be done by putting your
hands on the back of your neck over your shoulders and at your back
just above and below the waist. Provided that you are flexible and
want to do that . Unless you are very flexible, do not try to reach
the difficult to reach places. If it hurts you to do it, It is not
Reiki. Reiki will flow to where it is needed .

Preparing
to Give Reiki Treatments to Others

There is no one
single right way to do treatments. Before you begin a treatment on
another person you may want to do a self treatment or meditation to
ground, center and clear your own energy field. This is not a
requirement but will prepare yourself to give the treatment. Many
practitioners like to place their hands together in the gassho or
praying hands position for a moment before they actually begin the
treatment. This helps the practitioner to balance their own energy
and reach the correct mental and emotional clarity to begin the
treatment free from personal issues that might distract them.

Before
the Treatment.

Greet your client and discuss what they
can expect from Reiki. Answer any questions
they have. Ask them about their reasons for seeking Reiki treatment
and what they expect from Reiki. Tell the client what you will be
doing. Some practitioners have a form and history to be filled out,
others do not follow the medical model so closely. Make sure that if
exchange is involved, that is payment or barter the details are clear
and mutually agreeable.

Remind the
recipient that you are not a medical practitioner. Reiki is never a
substitute for medical treatment. This and other energy and spiritual
work may on rare occasions stimulate a brief clearing period of
detoxification on all levels. In a few rare cases people have felt
worse before they felt better, if this does occur you should ask that
if possible they come in daily for three days in a row. Repeating
treatment can alleviate these rare detoxification or healing crisis
symptoms.

Have your client
remove their shoes , glasses and any bulky jewelry which might get
snagged . They will remain fully clothed. Comfortable non binding
clothes are recommended. Clients do not need to remove wedding rings,
dentures, small earrings, navel rings and so forth. Some people fear
that jewelry will interfere or block the energy but it does not. In
fact such items can absorb a reservoir of Reiki energy . The main
reason to remove bulky jewelry is so that it will not snag on
clothing during the treatment or interfere with hand placement.

Have the person
lie down on a massage table or if none is available other sturdy
table such as a kitchen or dining table with a pad of some sort, or a
bench ,couch, bed or floor if that is comfortable for both of you .
Treatments can also be done with the client seated.
Most Reiki
treatments are given with the client lying down and the practitioner
standing. Many practitioners sit in an office chair with wheels. Some
do treatments kneeling on the floor. Whatever table or other setup
you are using the client and the practitioner should both be
comfortable during the treatment. Try to have the table surface at a
height where you do not have to strain to reach the hand position
locations. A padded surface of some kind is suggested for comfort.

The recipient may
become cold. You should have a light blanket available to cover them
if needed. A pillow or pillows is useful for arranging for maximum
comfort particularly when treating the back. Comfort can be a real
concern if you do not have a face rest. You can do the treatment from
the front only or have the client sit for treatment on the back if it
is not practical or comfortable for them to lie face down. Many
people are not comfortable laying face down.

Sometimes
emotional clearing occurs during a treatment and can result in the
client crying. You should have some tissues handy in case of need. If
the person being treated cries do not interrupt the treatment to give
them tissues. Interrupting them may result in a reduction of the
healing release. On rare occasions a recipient may feel that your
hands are too hot or feel pain or discomfort in some other way. If
this happens ask if they wish to stop the treatment or continue. Most
people will choose to continue and may feel a healing release. If
someone wishes to end the treatment early for any reason then stop
giving Reiki.

Wash your hands
before and after giving a treatment if possible. Wash your hands
before the treatment to make sure your hands are clean and that you
don't have any distracting odor on them. Washing your hands also
helps give you time for a symbolic entry into the best mental state
for the treatment. Wash your hands after the treatment as a way to
distinguish your treatment time from your routine. You might carry
disposable washcloths if you often do treatments “on the road”.
Please don't make a big deal about it as a frantic dive to wash your
hands may be quite distressing to your client.

You might have
pleasant music playing if you both agree. There are many tapes and
CDs with music designed for Reiki treatments and similar work. Some
clients are distracted by music while others prefer to have it. Many
people burn a quality incense or use an aromatherapy oil in a
diffuser. Inquire about allergies before using a fragrance, and use
only genuine essential oil if possible. You might offer a cup of Herb
tea or water after a session. Clients should always be encouraged to
drink lots of water.

I do sometimes use
crystals in conjunction with Reiki but in most cases I limit this to
having amethyst, clear quartz or Rose Quartz under the Reiki table
and crystals in the treatment room (which is where they are anyway)
unless I feel strong intuitive guidance to use them. Combining Reiki
with laying on of stones can overwhelm some clients and may even give
them a headache. Holding a clear quartz ball or crystal while running
Reiki through it is sometimes used for breaking up severe blocks and
stagnation in the energy field.

Toning may be used if you
feel a strong intuitive urge to do so but as with crystals should not
be used casually. These are not part of traditional Reiki treatments
and aren't likely to be available in emergencies so please do not
depend on these enhancements. Reiki will work just fine with no
frills at all.

The United States
has very severe penalties for practicing medicine without a license.
Reiki is not Diagnostic. We do not in any way attempt to locate or
define medical or Psychological needs. Anyone seeking Reiki
treatments who has a medical condition should be reminded to see an
appropriate practitioner.

Reiki practitioners do often
develop an intuition about areas of concern and possible conditions.
They might ask questions and suggest that the client ask a Doctor
about something. During the treatment many practitioners find that
they sometimes receive intuitive impressions or information about the
client or situations. Check with your intuitive source before sharing
any such information. the information may be intended only for you or
it may be meant for you to share. Confirmation of whether or not to
share is usually easy to receive, if unsure do not. Remember that you
are a Reiki channel not a Doctor or Psychologist (unless you are of
course).

Reiki is quite
effective when done as a holistic practice similar to acupressure.
Some people feel that it is more effective when Spiritual intention
is added. Reiki is self grounding and has built in protections. It
can do no harm. You do not need to use any extra procedures for
protection and grounding. You may choose to do some things such as
ground and center yourself. One way of doing this is to connect with
Earth and Source.

You can imagine
yourself and the receiver as being surrounded by golden or rainbow
light or white or violet light. You could smudge or call in the
Angels if you wish. These practices are not standard to Reiki nor in
any way required and may not effect the quality and effectiveness of
the treatment but can contribute a nice energy to the surroundings if
you want to do this and have time for them.
I often ask and
invite any angels or guides who wish to help to join us, I ask my
solar angel to allow only the forces of highest Good to join us . I
intend that the room be filled with Reiki energy. You can do whatever
will focus you to the purpose of giving the session. This is a
personal choice. Reiki will work without any spiritual additions at
all.

Giving
The Treatment

Please allow the energies to flow.
Separate yourself from the hunger for any particular outcome. Your
intention should be to give the treatment but not to try to create
any particular result. Set your personal intention that you and the
treatment will do only good. You will place your hands in the
position you start with and continue through them until done.

Many Reiki Practitioners prefer to stand to the right of the table
and move clockwise or sun wise around the table, and to have the left
hand be the far hand and the right hand be the near hand. I suggest
you practice to see what feels most comfortable and effective for
you. You should be comfortable during the treatment. Some Reiki
Practitioners do get an occasional signal of a twinge of pain in
their own body as guidance but If you are in pain you are probably
tensing up and need to relax.

The energy will
ebb and flow during treatment but will usually only need to be turned
on at the beginning . Many practitioners do choose to reactivate the
energy each time they move their hands. During hands on treatments
the hand position is changed each time the energy tapers off. If the
practitioner does not feel energy they can leave their hand in each
position for 3 to 5 minutes.

Please place your
hands quite gently. There should be no weight or pressure applied.
The contact often described as a butterfly touch. Some clients do
like to feel your hands placed solidly and will kind of strain to
reach up if your touch is too light but in any case you do not push
or let your hands lay heavily on the client. You can even keep your
hands about an inch away in the aura.
The hands are held slightly
cupped with fingers and thumbs held together closely as though you
were swimming or like your hands are in socks . If you turned your
hands upwards it would look like you were cupping water in your hands
This kind of hand position is said to represent peace and freedom
from fear.

Reiki does not use
massage or tissue manipulation. Your hands are simply held gently on
or over each position until the energy ebbs. A little bit of
intention or attention is needed but not intense effort or will.
Should you become distracted and feel that the energy has stopped
just restart it by intending to do so.

When doing hands
on treatments your hands are left in each position until the energy
begins to taper off or for three to five minutes if you are not
sensitive to the energy flow. Sensitivity to energy can vary greatly
from treatment to treatment.

THE
REIKI FINISH

Many but not by
any means all practitioners end a treatment with a "Reiki
finish" either combing and smoothing out the aura with the hands
or one of several other versions . I was taught to end a session by
placing my hands one on top of the other in a cross form at the small
of the back or tail bone for a minute or so but seldom do this finish
any more.

One Reiki finish I use to end a session is to place
one hand or the fingertips held together on the top of the spine and
the other at the tail bone or from the front on the head or
collarbone and stomach and wait approx. 3-5 min. the Reiki runs/flows
from one hand to the other, so by doing the finish one helps to
effect an energetic balance. Sweeping the aura three times from top
to bottom and again from bottom to top is another popular and
effective finish.

This next version
of the finish is one that Mrs. Takata taught (according to "VSRC",
a Takata first and second degree student) (used with permission). "
At a full treatment a person would get very, very relaxed, and Mrs.
Takata said to help with circulation she would: Take two fingers (she
used first and second) put one on either side of the spine near the
neck, or about the 7th cervical, with the other hand press down the
palm at the base of the two fingers and on top of the hand. Then
"zip" the two fingers down the spine fairly quickly... with
practice you will get the right rhythm, not too fast, it will burn,
not too slow, the point is to stimulate circulation and always
gentle, but firm enough to be felt.. Then, she would make circular
motions down the back on either side of the spine with her palms,
then, pick up one of the legs & a foot and rotate it in small
circles, gentle massaging the calf muscles, then do the other leg &
foot. Now the person has enough circulation that when they sit up,
and attempt to get down from the table, doing it carefully they will
be comfortable." Apparently very few and possibly none of the
Reiki Masters that Mrs. Takata taught have actually used this finish.

Give the person being treated plenty of time to return to
the mundane world and may run Reiki for a minute or few minutes with
the specific intention that it help the person being treated with
grounding . Intuition is the best guide. There is no one single right
way to do treatments .

About
Reiki Hand Positions

These hand positions are also used
in other traditional Japanese and Chinese healing modes and are not
exclusive to Reiki. Reiki does flow to where it is needed so a whole
body treatment can be given by leaving your hands in one place,
however moving through the hand placements assures that each area
gets a surcharge of the Reiki and that all of the major meridian
channels are treated.

Many Reiki
practitioners feel that following a set of hand positions may be more
effective at making sure that areas of need receive treatment.
The
Reiki will flow through each at placement even if there is another
area with greater need. Using the hand placements can also help the
practitioner develop an intuitive sensitivity to energy flow.

The basic set of twelve hand positions most Reiki practitioners use
ensure that all the major energy channels and chakra are treated to
effectively cover the entire body and aura. In time most people
develop an intuitive sense of where Reiki energy is needed and may
use alternative or extra hand placements following that intuition.

Mikao Usui Sensei
is said to have used five basic hand placements and additional ones
in accord with the specific needs of each client. Dr Hayashi adapted
the set of hand positions now in common use for practitioners at his
clinic who had not developed strong intuition or energy sensitivity.

Most Reiki
position charts start with the hands directly over the face and then
move to the crown or side of the head. I personally often start by
placing my hands over the top of the head on the crown first or on
the shoulders. Then I move to the face. Many people are more
comfortable with this as the first position and young children are
less likely to lick your hands when you start with a less
challenging placement than directly over their face. Many people
place their hands in the Gassho position before beginning the
treatment and take a moment to center themselves. Some
practitioners place a tissue over the clients face before putting
their hands over the face. This would help keep odor and sweat off
the clients face if there is any. Please ask before you do this as
some people are extremely uncomfortable with their face covered.
(Personally, I do have a suffocation phobia and do not react at all
well to having my face covered with anything).

Reiki
Hands

The hands are held
with the thumb and fingers next to each other as though they were in
socks, not mittens or gloves. They are held gently cupped as though
for a swim stroke. Some people teach that to have the fingers spread
out disperses or dilutes the Reiki Energy but I have found that the
finger position does not make a significant difference.
Other
energy work systems have different conventions regarding hand
carriage. The traditional hand carriage is
possibly a reflection of Japanese customs regarding hand gestures.
Try different things and follow your intuition to see what works for
you.

Reiki touch is
very light. No pressure is applied. Nothing in Reiki resembles
massage. The energies often run for about 3 to 5 minutes in each
position before tapering off. The time a treatment takes may vary
quite a bit but 40 minutes to an hour is average for a full
treatment.

The hand positions
on the head and throat are done while standing behind the client.
Then You move to stand at the side of the client. The hand positions
on the torso are done with the fingertips of one hand touching the
heal of the other. Whether the left or right hand is the near hand or
the far hand depends on what is most comfortable for you.
Some
teachers teach specific placements. These vary from teacher to
teacher. The hand positions given here are suggestions rather than
absolutes. I also like to run Reiki into the joints, shoulders,
elbows, wrists, knees, hips, and the hands. You can have the client
turn over and repeat the torso positions on the back if you have time
and feel that you should.

Posture

Posture is an often neglected area. You will be more comfortable
during treatments if you stand with your weight balanced over both
feet, knees slightly bent, feet placed a bit apart, butt tucked in,
back straight, and with your shoulders slightly rounded not held back
rigidly.

Below is a graphic
of the hand placements and they are written out in detail further on.
You can either move both hands at once or one at a time moving the
second to meet the first, lift the hands off the body but keep them
in the aura. Do not slide them along the body. begin by spending a
moment with your hands in the gassho or praying hands position at
your heart or throat and focus your intention and activate your
Reiki.

1. Top of head,
over the crown chakra.
2. Over the eyes ,palms on forehead,
fingertips on cheekbone, this position enhances the sixth chakra at
the brow. When the eyes are relaxed the body is relaxed.
3. Sides
of face, covering the temples.
4. Back of head, with fingertips
at occipital ridge where the skull and neck join. This relaxes
the brain stem and cerebellum , promoting a sense of serenity and
balance. This position
helps with past life recall and reduces
stress. 4b. cover the jaw with palms while placing
thumbs at
corner of mouth. reduces tmj.
5. Throat, Place hand in V formation
over throat. releases the breath and increases Flow of
energy to
whole body the thyroid gland regulates metabolism and balances blood
pressure and cleanses the lymphatic system . fifth chakra at throat
enhances communication. Many people are not comfortable with hands on
their throat so you may wish to do this position within the aura an
inch or two from the skin or choose from these alternate positions.
5b. either both hands over the throat in front. 5c .or both hands on
the back of the throat 5d. or one in front and one in back 5e. or one
on the front of the throat and the other angled down over the thymus.
6. If you have not covered the thymus with the throat position
place both hands in a V over
the thymus. 6b. over the chest just
below the collar bones this position activates
unconditional
love of self and others energizes the thymus which regulates the
immune
system ,also strengthens the lungs and diaphragm .

Now move to the
side of the client, most people like to move in a clockwise direction
if you have not yet covered the thymus position do it from the side.
7. Center of the chest hands either between the breasts or just
above in a v or straight or
one hand in thymus area and one in
the center of chest, any of these can be done holding the hands an
inch or two away from the skin without physically touching the client
strengthens heart opening, sense of compassion and empathy .It
revitalizes lungs heart
and relaxes the diaphragm. Enhances love
at the fourth chakra.
8. Solar plexus area above the waist just
below the rib cage. This position energizes the
solar plexus for
vitality and life force. As we energize this area we generate support
toward others and feel supported by the others and the universe
. It helps digestion as we treat the liver, gallbladder, stomach and
spleen. This position enhances our power center at the third chakra.
9. Two inches below waist this position circulates energy
throughout the whole body.
Relaxing this area helps digestion.
Treats kidney and bladder encourages connection with the emotions at
the second chakra.
Some people like to move their hands down the
torso in hand width lengths others do one
step at or just above
the belly button and one below at the sacral chakra .
10. Place
hands so they form a V on either side of the pubic bone with the
fingers pointing down and toward the middle. Many practitioners do
not use this position or do it without physical contact by keeping
their hands in the aura above the root chakra. 10b. An alternate
position is placing the hands on either side of the pubic area with
hands together first on one side and then on the other. This position
relaxes large and small intestines , bladder ovaries and prostate.
This position releases accumulated anxiety and fear as an activity of
the first chakra at the root center and helps one to feel centered
and grounded. Do not touch unless you are very good friends with the
client and ask first. This is sometimes called the “ Victorian"
position. Professional Massage therapists or others who do body work
may be comfortable with contact. but others may not be.
11.
Ankles
12. feet. You can treat the whole body from the feet. When
time permits spend extra time on the feet.

The BACK
If there is enough time and the client is able to be comfortable face
down . You can have your client turn over and do the body torso
positions on the back in approximately the same locations as the
front.

B1. Place hands
on top of shoulder blades either both at once or first on one and
then the other. This position relaxes trapezium muscles, deltoids and
upper spinal column it reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
B2.
Place hands at mid back position hands side by side either both at
once or first on one side and then the other. this position
strengthens and relaxes adrenal glands and helps to release fears
phobias and disturbing moodiness .
B3. Place hand at the base of
the back on either side of the spine.
B4. Another position is to
place hands on either buttock either both at once or first on one
and then on the other these positions balance sciatica and assists
the receiver in feeling more present in the world.

Before finishing
the treatment. Place hands on the knee and feet working on one side
first and then the next. There are chakras in both these areas and
the Reiki energy can release energy blockages there to increase the
flow of energy. This helps people to be more flexible and to take
action when needed.
I like to run Reiki into the joints,
shoulders, elbows , wrists, knees, and hips, and the hands. This
releases tension and stress that is held in the joints. Each area of
the body has a symbolic meaning in its healing, releasing tension in
the ankles assists in reaching higher goals, releasing tension in the
knees assists in release of emotion and ability to forgive. When the
shoulders are free of tension and stress there may be increased
determination.

Additional hand positions

Some
additional positions are: The "psych" with the fingers of
one hand held over the third eye in the center of the brow and the
other at the back of the head where the skull and the neck join. For
treating emotional and mental issues .

The "Reiki
drain" with the hands turned up away from the client's body with
the intention of relieving excess energy buildups.

The "laser"
The thumb and first two fingers of each hand are brought together and
are used like a laser or tight narrow beam to do intense work on
small areas . Larger areas are treated with this by moving the hands
in the infinity sign (a sideways figure eight).

The "benediction"
with the right hand on the clients knee or shoulder and the left hand
held up in the air palm outward, said to help with spiritual and
emotional healing as well as pain relief.

I like to use a
"steam clean” technique where the hands are held in a v with
the fingers partially overlapped and thumbs locked together forming a
V shaped space in the middle. Envision a powerful stream of energy
flowing through your hands
dislodging stubborn blocks and filling
it with Reiki and light. The released gunk or excess energy is
envisioned being sucked away through a pipe of light where the space
between your hands and thumbs is. You may sometimes feel guided to
run
energy with one hand on the front of the body around the
kidney area and one on the back running the Reiki from one hand to
the other or at the second or forth chakra again with one hand on the
front and one on the back.

The entire body
and aura can be treated from the feet. You can treat the top of the
foot the, bottom and the toes and heal with separate hand placements
if you have time . Most people carry a lot of tension in the feet and
there are reflexology points in the foot which promote wellness in
every part of the body.

Reiki can help you
increase your intuitive abilities. So when you feel an urge to use a
particular hand position go ahead.

Here are some of
the techniques taught by the school Dr. Usui' students founded in
Japan. They are almost identical to those taught in most subtle touch
systems throughout the world. These are commonly taught in Qi Gong
and aid removal of negative energies. In some areas these might be
considered massage and could bring up legal issues as licenses and
certification is often required for massage.
1. Tapping
This
means to lightly and rhythmically tap or pat the ki field with either
your palm or fingertips. This is useful to relieve stagnation or
congestion and to improve circulation.

2. Pushing ,
Pulsing
Slightly open and close the palm. Resembles a kneading
cat motion. Stretch the fingers and hand open, then relax. Do this
repeatedly at a steady pace. the qi is emitted from the center of the
hand. The indications for pulsing are similar to tapping. Stimulates
and improves circulation. Pulsing can be used over any area of the
body that requires it, including specific acupressure points. If you
pulse directly over an acupuncture point, you may feel tingling and
warmth at the point or radiating along the meridian.
3.
Stroking, Waving, combing
Is very useful for congestion or pain.
The fingertips sweep down the patients energy field, as though
brushing the pain away.
Not part of Dr. Usuis' System as far as I
know, but some teachers teach fluffing the aura prior to combing or
waving. That is to raise your hands up through the aura from root to
above the crown with little stirring movements.

Chair
Reiki, giving treatments to seated recipients

Sometimes
there is no massage table or other comfortable place for a client to
lie down. Reiki treatments can be given to a seated person quite
easily and effectively. Seated treatments often take much less time
than full treatments on a massage table. The chair used does not
matter, as long as the recipient sits comfortably and the
practitioner can be comfortable while giving the treatment.
Make
sure the recipient is grounded, with both feet flat on the ground and
in upright position. The first and simplest chair treatment is to
stand behind the chair with the other person seated with their feet
on the floor, hands on their lap, palms are usually turned up but
this is not essential, legs uncrossed. Place your hands on their
shoulders. Activate Reiki and leave your hands in place until the
energy tapers off, that's it. This Method usually runs 10 minutes or
so before tapering off.
You can also do a simplified hands on
treatment on seated recipients using the traditional hand positions
and kneeling for the lower hand placements.

A more detailed
chair method
Positions:
1. stand behind the person, with your
hands lightly on the shoulders.
2. place both hands, side to side
on top of the head.
3. hand on the forehead and the other on the
back of the head.
4. Optional position, from behind the person,
put both hands on the chest.
5. from the side, place one hand
under the collar bone and one on the back
6. Continue by placing
one hand on the solar plexus and the other at the same
height on
the back. By this time you can sit on a chair if you have one
7.
place one hand under the navel ( second chakra) and the other at the
same
height at the back.
8. Hold both knees, while sitting
or kneeling in front of the person.
9. finally go to the feet.
10. run your hands through the energy field of the legs a few
inches out 3 times.
11. run your hands down the aura three times:
front, back and sides.
12. Go behind the person and place your
hand in starting position.

Hands Off treatment

While Reiki one
focuses on contact treatment you can also run Reiki in the aura an
inch or two out from physical contact.
Here's a generic hands off
treatment that's used more often by various forms of subtle touch
healing practitioners than by Reiki practitioners .
Reiki one
practitioners can do this by keeping the hands close to the client's
body and activating Reiki.
Begin with the hands over the top of
the crown and then move to the side and place one hand in front and
one in back and run the energy into each of the chakras and other
energy centers moving down the body : brow , throat , thymus (middle
of upper chest), heart, solar plexus, hara ( at or just below the
belly button), sacral chakra, tail bone . During this quick treatment
you may instinctively find yourself moving your hands in and out as
the chakra balances and is set in place.

More ways to apply Reiki

Here are more
ideas on using your Reiki.
When you become stressed or anxious,
run down or exhausted as a result of something happening in your
life, then give yourself additional Reiki self treatment.

At mealtimes it
can be very beneficial to Reiki your food for a moment or two before
eating it, whether you are at home or in a restaurant. You can just
discretely place your hands near or over the food you will find that
any negativity that has attached itself to the food will be removed
by a short treatment! Same applies to water try Reiki-ing the water
from your tap and see if it tastes better.

When you give
young children Reiki they often seem to absorb the energy quicker so
you may need to make the time spent in each hand position shorter.
When they get restless - move on. Most babies and toddlers love
Reiki.

Animals do not
have much patience and if they are feeling well they may reject the
energy but when ill they will usually accept it. Again do not hold
the hand positions for long one or two minutes is enough. Cats,
however sometimes love it and often arrive to soak up the energy
after you have given a treatment. Some cats are not interested. To
give
Reiki to a pet, simply place your hands wherever they
comfortably fit over or near the pain area with the intent to heal.
Reiki will do the rest, placing the energy where it is needed. When
they have had enough, they will move. Sometimes they will come back
to you when they want more! Some animals Love Reiki and will
frequently "demand" some.

Plants will
respond effectively to Reiki. Like humans and animals they have a
life force which responds to the Reiki energy. Cut flowers can be
given a Reiki treatment which may help to preserve them longer. Just
hold your hands above the blooms as if you are blessing them. With
potted plants it is best to treat them by holding the pot between
your hands, assuming it isn't too heavy. I have given Reiki to
wounded Dragonflies and they seemed to love it. Trees are an amazing
reservoir of universal energy and often they respond to receiving
Reiki energy by giving energy back to the giver. So go and hug a tree
and feel them 'blessing' you. Some trees are really surprised to have
people offer to give them anything.

The general
ethical rule is that you do not send treatment without permission but
if you intend that the Reiki is offered and may be accepted, refused,
observed or sent to where needed most it will usually be accepted if
not always by the person or being you had offered to treat.

Mikao
Usui
Mikao Usui developed the system of natural healing
referred to as Usui Reiki. the Dr. is an honorific as a substitute
for the Japanese word Sensei with translates as teacher and is a
title of great respect. Usui Sensei was born around 1865. He died in
1926, of a stroke. The story of Reiki that has come out of Japan
recently begins when Dr. Usui’s business fails. This failure left
him in great debt, and with a great desire for more than just
material gain. On Dr. Usui’s memorial stone is carved the following
statement: “One day he went to Mount Kurama on a 21 day retreat to
fast and meditate. At the end of this period he suddenly felt the
great Reiki energy at the top of his head, which led to the Reiki
healing system.” In Frank Petter’s book “Reiki Fire”, Frank
quotes a Mr. Oishi, who learned Reiki in the 1950’s from a master
initiated by Dr. Usui. “Dr. Usui used to meditate at a waterfall on
Mt. Kurama. One day, while standing under the waterfall, he had a
satori.” Satori is a Japanese concept in which a person has a
sudden realization of a great or universal truth . After this
experience Dr. Usui opened the “Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai”, the
“Usui Reiki Healing Society.” According to his memorial stone:
“He opened a clinic in Harajuku, Aoyama, Tokyo in April of 1921. He
not only gave treatments to countless patients, some of whom had come
from far and wide, but he also hosted workshops to spread his
knowledge. In September of 1923, the devastating Kanto earthquake
struck Tokyo. Thousands were killed, injured, or became sick in its
aftermath. Dr. Usui grieved for his people, but he also took Reiki to
the devastated city and used its healing powers on the surviving
victims.”
After this Dr. Usui traveled and taught throughout
Japan. During his stay in Fukuyama, he suffered a fatal stroke. in
1926. His memorial stone states that he taught Reiki to over 2000
people though he taught for only five years.
Since the passing
of Dr. Usui, there have been six presidents of Usui Reiki Ryoho
Gakkai, and they are: Mr. Ushida, Mr. Taketomi, Mr. Watanabe, Mr.
Wanami, Ms. Kojama and Mr. Kondo, who has been in office since 1998.
“Reiki Fire” (ISBN 0-9144955-50-0) and “Reiki: The legacy of
Dr. Usui” (ISBN 0-914955-56-X) are both written by Frank Petter.
These two books are an excellent source of information concerning the
history of Reiki, the philosophy and the techniques of Dr. Usui,
developer of Reiki. Both are published by Lotus Light Publications,
Box 325, Twin Lakes, WI 53181, USA.

A
Brief Reiki History
Mikao Usui Sensei Usually called Dr.
Usui in the West, was apparently a bit of a renaissance man having
held many jobs and studied very broadly he is thought to have Studied
Buddhist, Taoist and Chinese Christianity Shinto and intensively in
active search of methods of spiritual healing and after much study
received the Reiki energies at the end of a 21 day fast and
meditation on Mount Kurama.

Usui Sensei
received Reiki through spiritual realization (satori) and apparently
later added the use of symbols as a tool for those who were not ready
to access Reiki by direct intention . The symbols used in advanced
Reiki levels were Japanese written characters with esoteric meanings
with which Usui Sensei would probably have already been familiar,
these esoteric meanings fit the use of the Reiki energy for
specific purposes and the symbols themselves were never secret but
were rather obscure.
There are no symbols used in most Reiki one
levels. They are introduced during the second degree training. There
are many stories about Usui Sensei's discovery of the power and use
of the Reiki energy the most common belief being that he had found
information about the use of healing energy in ancient texts and
during his meditation on Mt Kurama was seeking the attunement to
enable him to use the Reiki.
Among the stories, Dr. Usui is said
to have practiced Reiki healing in the slums of Kyoto For many years.
He is said to have become angry that many of the beggars he healed
preferred to be beggars instead of getting jobs. He decided that
there must be an exchange of value in order for the healing to be
valued. (There is no way to determine whether this is a fact or just
a legend).
The definition of exchange
of value that has been used in the West has been rather more narrowly
defined than that used traditionally in Japanese Spiritual and
ethical systems. This is the story has been used in part to justify
in part the very high charges for Reiki Services and attunements by
some practitioners. This story is more likely to have been intended
to indicate that you can neither force healing nor define what it
means to others. This set of stories and requirements does not seem
to be common among those who teach Reiki in Japan. Dr. Usui taught
several Doctors his Reiki Healing. There are still groups of
practitioners in Japan who still teach Dr Usui's Methods. One of the
people Dr Usui taught was Dr. Hayashi, who set up a clinic and
adapted Hand Positions and much of the formal system including the
Three Degrees of the version of Reiki most often taught in the west.
This is the version which has come to be known in the U.S.A.
As Usui Reiki or the Usui universal life energy healing system. Dr.
Hayashi seems to have emphasized the physical healing aspect of Reiki
and developed a more medical oriented set of Reiki practices
discarding most of the spiritual development meditations Dr. Usui is
said to have taught .

Dr. Hayashi was
the director of one of at least 40 Reiki clinics that existed in
Japan prior to World War 2 . He was not Dr Usui's sole chosen
Successor and the Title of Grand Master was never used in Japan for
any Reiki Teacher . He is the person who attuned Mrs. Hawayo Takata.
Mrs. Hawayo Takata, A widow from Hawaii, had come to Japan to
inform Her Parents of the Death of a relative and fell ill. She came
to Dr. Hayashi's Clinic after hearing a voice tell her that an
operation was not necessary as she waited for surgery for a chronic
condition. Her condition responded and was healed at the clinic Mrs.
Takata was able to get Dr. Hayashi to give her the Reiki attunements
for levels one and two before she returned to Hawaii. Dr. Hayashi
later came to Hawaii and attuned Mrs. Takata to The Master Level.
Mrs. Takata opened a clinic in Hilo and charged $10000.00 for the
Reiki
Master Attunement . She apparently felt that Americans
would only value Reiki if it was very expensive. This very expensive
training was intended to be a long apprenticeship in which the
student attended and gave many supervised treatments and assisted at
many of the teachers classes rather than the shorter and less
expensive training than is common now.
Mrs. Takata was
apparently required to work at Dr Hayashi's Clinic for over a year in
order to receive the attunements and training and that, along with
the expense of her journey to Japan may have been taken into
consideration when she set her fees. Some of her clients and students
seem to have been rather well off and the fees may not have been at
all difficult for them to pay. By Mrs. Takata's death in 1980 she had
reportedly attuned 22 Reiki Masters. Since her death Many teachers
have lowered the price greatly and many different schools or Reiki
variants have evolved Reiki is becoming much more widely known and
used throughout the world.

Dr Usui was never
a Christian Minister or the President of a Christian School In Japan.
That particular version of the Reiki History was probably created by
Mrs. Takata or one of her associates in order to give Reiki more
appeal to people in the United States. shortly before World War 2.
Other common versions of Dr. Usui's life include reports or stories
of his being a Buddhist, a Shinto Mystic, a medical or natrapathic
type Doctor and a Government official or clerk, book keeper .His
memorial stone is at a temple in Tokyo and has an inscription about
his skill as a healer and help during the great Tokyo Earthquake.
The details of the history of Reiki seem destined to remain
somewhat uncertain.

The
Reiki Principles of Mikao Usui
There are many versions of
the Principles of Reiki, Which were adapted by Dr Usui possibly from
the Meiji Emperor's precepts or other common sets of ethical
precepts. Dr. Usui encouraged people to read the poetry of this
emperor regularly. There are many translations and interpretations of
the Principles.

I give thanks for
my many blessings
Just for today I will not anger
Just for
today I will not worry
I will do my work honestly
I will be
kind to people and every living thing

A more literal
translation

The Sacred method
of Inviting Blessings
The Spiritual Medicine of Many Illnesses
Today only, do not anger; do not worry.
Do your work with
appreciation.
Be kind to people.
In the morning and at night
hold your hands in prayer,
meditate and chant these words.

Just for today.Do not rise to angerDo not succumb to worry,Express Gratitude for all your blessingsApply yourself diligentlyManifest Compassion to all beings.

Just for today I will give thanks for my many blessings,Just for today I will not worry,Just for today I will not be angry,Just for today I will do my work honestly,Just for today I will be kind to my neighbor and every living Thing

Just For today,anger not and worry not. work from the heart and be kind to people.

Expanding on the Reiki Principles
I give
thanks for my many blessings
This appears in some of the Reiki
Principle lists but not all, in any case having optimism and
appreciation and cultivating an attitude of feeling blessed at all
that you have and experience and also feeling joy at the benefits and
blessings of others is a way of life that will attract more blessings
into your life.
Just for today I will not worry
If you cannot
do something about a problem there is no point in worrying.
If
you can do something about a problem do it and then you will have no
cause to worry.
When we worry, we may forget that we are
connected with the energy of universal love.
The more we allow
that energy to flow through us the more we become open to experience
ourselves as part of a safe and loving universe.
Just for
today I will not anger.
This does not mean to keep anger bottled
up inside or to pretend that it isn't there. But do not let anger
consume you. When you can look at the situation that you react to
with anger you can often uncover information about yourself and your
expectations.
I do my work with appreciation
I see this as
not just job related but as a call to live with integrity to make the
best effort to do your work and to live well in the sense of
spiritual wholeness and honor.
Be kind to people and every living
thing
Being aware of ourselves as part of an interconnected whole
and understanding that what we put into life is what returns to us.
When we are not worrying or being angry and are grateful for our life
and work we will naturally be kind. The repeated call Just for today
reminds us to live in the present .

Treatment and ethics review
Reiki first
Degree works on a physical level - you usually need to touch the
recipient to connect them with Reiki. What can be treated? Reiki can
aid in the healing of just about every known illness and injury. It
can also help to break unwanted habits such as cigarettes, alcohol,
drugs, etc. People have also used Reiki to assist creativity and
meditation to help wake up or to get to sleep.
1. Ideally the
practitioner should be in the right frame of mind, relaxed and calm..
This is to
promote the flow of Reiki unfiltered by the
practitioners own energy. I find that the correct mental state will
assert itself when needed.
2. The treatment should be conducted
in a relaxing place where both the practitioner and
recipient
feel comfortable. It is nice if there are no distractions like phones
ringing, callers or television or radio, but you can do Reiki any
place at any time.
3. Playing soothing music such as classical
music or new age music or environmental sounds such as rain forests
and other natural sounds can aid relaxation of the person being
treated , especially if they have come to see you for the first time
and are in strange surroundings.
4. It is best if conversation
ceases during the treatment, although sometimes especially during the
first visit, the client will want to ask questions. Try to answer
them before starting the treatment, or afterward. Although the energy
will not normally be interrupted during conversation, The client will
be less relaxed while conversing. Some people do prefer that you
explain what you are doing as you give the treatment .

The
giving of a Reiki treatment can be in part a spiritual process and it
is sometimes possible for a sensitive practitioner to access
information from a person during treatment with their own intuition
or psychic ability . Practitioners should use discretion about
sharing this with the client as it may be intended only for the
practitioner. Respect the confidentiality of their client anything
that might pass between the client and practitioner during the
treatment will not be divulged.

Reiki treatment checklist.
1. Before the
recipient arrives –you may wish to spend a little time in
meditation or self
treatment some people like to smudge the
room. (smudging is optional)
2. Find your inner calm, avoid
rushing around.
3. Spend a few minutes with the client to gain
rapport . Make sure they have enough time for you to complete the
treatment .You can do a shorter treatment if the do not have an hour
or forty five minutes.
4. Explain the Reiki process and hand
positions.
5. Answer any questions - make sure there is enough
time after the treatment to answer
any others that might arise.
6. Try to Ensure that you will not be interrupted. Lock the door,
switch off the phone.
Though excellent treatments can occur
under chaotic conditions too.
7. Try to use a CD on 'repeat'
rather than a cassette player with its loud clicks
when the tape
ends. It also means you do not have to get up half way through to
turn the tape over!
8. Make sure that both you and the client
are comfortable.
Posture is important. You will
be more
comfortable during treatments if you stand on both feet , knees
slightly bent, feet placed a bit apart, butt tucked in back straight
and shoulders slightly rounded not held back rigidly. You won't want
to get stiff limbs or pins and needles because you have put your body
into an awkward position. If you are standing make sure the massage
table is at the correct height for you and if you are healing on a
divan/bed find a stool at the correct
height to allow you reach
across the client without strain. Remember have a blanket or rug
ready in case the client feels cold. This can happen when you move
down to the legs .
9. If you wish Ask Angels or your Reiki guides
for assistance (a personal option) and then
begin the treatment
using the techniques and hand positions taught. Many people like to
place there hands in the Gassho (prayer position) Allow your
consciousness to meld with that of the recipient. Your intuition can
guide you and lead your hands. It is not necessary to stick rigidly
to the hand positions listed - they serve as a guide. But it is best
if you do know the hand positions.
When you move your hands some
people prefer to move only one
at a time and take the other one
off to 'meet' it. That way the connection will
remain continuous.
not everyone finds this to be essential. Do keep your hands in the
aura as you move them if possible. Keep your touch light and
without pressure. The hands are held with fingers and thumbs together
and slightly cupped. Lift your hands rather than sliding them along
the body.
10. Once you have completed the front of the body, ask
the client to turn
over so you can treat the back. If it is
comfortable for the client to do so.
Pregnant women and persons
with joint problems or injuries etc. can be treated entirely
from
the front or side if that is more comfortable for them.
11. After
completing the treatment, if you wish, cleanse the aura gently
from
the crown to the feet with a sweeping motion, discard any debris, and
then
bring the aura back to the crown. Thank any Reiki guides and
helpers for
assisting if you had called on them.
12. Some
people use gentle pressure on the recipient's shoulder until they
come back to full waking consciousness. I prefer to suggest that they
take all The time they need to return to alertness before they sit
up. You might offer them some fresh water or herb tea.
13. Take
some time to discuss the treatment, any feelings, and give advice
about further treatments.
14. Settle any arrangements for payment
or exchanges if applicable.
15. Ensure that your client has your
details and knows how to contact you for advice or assistance.
16.
Try to Keep a record of your clients and their details, name,
address, as
well as treatment dates, feedback and any fee
charged. People who do lots of large group healing circles or drop in
clinics may not find it practical to keep detailed records.

The exchange issue
Anyone who becomes
involved in Reiki is likely to eventually encounter an issue and
Cultural /Ethical conflict. There is a clash between a view that a
true "Healer" would never charge or expect compensation for
the work, and A philosophy stated to be A teaching of Dr. Usui, that
one must give some exchange to receive full benefit and must balance
any exchange of energy and that free treatment creates an
unacceptable spiritual debt for the healee. The attitude that people
only value what they pay for vs the attitude that spiritual energies
are a gift from God and must in honor be free. These being only a few
of the components in this issue . The idea that Usui Sensei required
a major cash outlay has been disproved . The Reiki Organizations in
Japan may charge a monthly membership fee and do not accept many
members. The achievement of Reiki one through them may take a year or
more.
The beggar story (That Usui Sensei healed in a slum for
many years until discovering that many beggars preferred to remain
beggars) that is often told to illustrate a supposed exchange
requirement was probably meant to illustrate that not everyone wants
to be healed . You cannot define what constitutes healing to another.
You cannot force healing . (This same story is taught in some
Buddhist sects with different people and to illustrate different
points too and is in my opinion, a traditional teaching Parable that
has been adapted ).
I do not have the skill to resolve the
complex issue of exchange for anyone but regret that such conflicts
may restrict the availability of this and other wonderful tools for
wholeness. It is common for people to devalue themselves to the point
where they will not pay for something that could help their own well
being.
A good portion of the first Reiki class I took was taken
up with various stories, arguments and indoctrination on the theme of
a need to charge for giving Reiki , and the presentation of Reiki as
a career . I mention the issue because whatever the Reiki training or
system you work with you will encounter this issue and need to work
out your personal values about this. I do suggest that we all strive
to put aside our preconceptions on this issue and be truly fair .
It is important that no one feel abused or used . I also do not think
it is fair to castigate someone as being greedy if they want a fair
payment for the time and energy and work they do even if you wish
that the service was free. I also wonder that so many people feel
that their own health , happiness and spiritual evolution is not
worth even a modest cost for a class or treatment . Part of the issue
for both students and teachers / practitioners is how much we love
and respect ourselves .
Any fee or exchange should be fair
,equitable and acceptable to all parties involved . It often does
seem that people use and appreciate Reiki more if they have made some
kind of contribution of their energy and resources and have helped to
cover the cost to the practitioner of providing the time ,site
training , materials and personal effort for the class or treatment.
Many Reiki Masters who began by offering free attunement find that
they cannot continue to do so because the actual cost to them of
manuals other materials , childcare and so on is too great a burden
on their families . Oddly It is also true that some of the very
people who are most insistent that Attunement should be free also
feel that "you get what you pay for " .
The tradition
of exchange is a valid one , we all Return to the Universe what we
receive and receive what we send out. Exchange can be any use of the
energies received for the universal good .

I do accept the
concept of exchange for value and I do believe in balance. Exchange
is indeed the universal Law but to me exchange and Karma are not
simple one to one events that occur in linear reality but are
universal in scope. we can complete an exchange through service to
the universe but on the other hand criticizing people who need
support in order to eat is not good Karma either. money does work
though.

It is said that a
butterfly in New York can effect the weather in Beijing,
insisting always on immediate exchange in the name of balance may in
my experience create a greater imbalance because an earlier imbalance
may have been being rectified one must use ones own intuition and
understanding regarding this. Not only may what is right for me not
be right for you but what is right for me now may not be right for me
tomorrow. Reality is flexible I appreciate that this issue gives the
opportunity to clarify our understanding of our own values and needs
,and encourage us all to become clear on how we each feel about it
rather than accepting as an absolute anyone else's unexamined
opinions. It is not having the energy that makes one a Reiki "master"
it is what you do with them after you get them. Generally I with
regard to compensating light workers I hold to the old saw that all
Absolutes are wrong including this one.) the only thing I am opposed
to is being rigid and uncompromising.

HATSUREI-HO
This technique is said to be from a Taoist qigong movement
and is now taught in the Japanese Reiki society founded by Mikao
Usui. This can be used as a daily meditation along with the
recitation of the Reiki principles in the morning and evening if you
wish. This Technique has become known to Western Reiki practitioners
through seminars
conducted by Hiroshi Doi who has studied with
the Japanese Reiki Society as well as western Reiki.
Hatsurei-ho
is done prior to receiving Rei-ju the channel strengthening form of
attunement used by the Reiki Gakkai. Many teachers are offering reiju
at Reiki shares.
This is very similar to practices I have found in
many energy work meditation and healing systems throughout the world.
is a modified version from the school of Mr. Doi who has both Western
and Japanese Reiki Training.

Hatsurei-ho is a
practice to enhance your Reiki channel and spiritual growth. It is
very similar to the grounding, clearing and channel building
exercises used in many different metaphysical spiritual healing
traditions. Many Reiki teachers do teach
some of these exercises
as an addition to their Reiki training.

Dry bathing or
Brushing off:
1. Place the fingers of your right hand near
the top of the left shoulder, with the fingertips over the
indentation just in from the edge of the shoulder (where the collar
bone meets the shoulder). The hand is lying flat.
2. Draw the
flat hand down across the chest in a straight line, over the "V"
of the sternum (where the rib cage meets) down to the right hip.
3.
Repeat this procedure on the right side, using the left hand. Draw it
flattened from the shoulder, in a straight line, across the sternum,
to the left hip.
4. Repeat the procedure again on the left side.
5. Place the right hand on the edge of the left shoulder,
fingertips on the edge pointing outwards.
6. Draw the right hand,
flattened, down the outside of the arm, all the way to the finger
tips, all the while keeping the left arm straight and at your side.
You may do this with your left arm straight and out in front of you
horizontally
7. Repeat this process on the right side, with the
left hand on the shoulder and drawing it down the right arm to the
fingertips.
8. Repeat the process on the left side again.
Connect to Reiki
Raise your hands high up in the air,
visualize and feel the vibration/light of Reiki flowing into your
hands and run through your whole body.
Cleansing Breathing
1.
Put your hands on your lap with your palms up and breath naturally
through your nose. Focus on your hara line and relax.
2. When you
breath in, visualize the white light of Reiki coming in through your
crown chakra, on to your hara line and expand to whole of your body,
melting all your tensions.
3. When you breathe out, visualize
that the light that filled up your whole body, expands to outside of
your body through your skin, onto infinity in all directions.
Continue for a couple of minutes or as long as you like Put your
hands together holding them in front of your chest (like praying
hands) a little higher than your heart. (Gassho)

Meditation:
Imagine that you are breathing through your hands.

1. When you breath
in, visualize that the light of Reiki flows in through your hands on
to your hara line, your hara being filled with light.
2. When you
breath out, visualize that the light stored in your hara line radiate
out through your hands. Continue for a couple of minutes or as long
as you like.
Ending
Put your hands back on to your lap with
your palms down.
Mentally confirm that you have completed
Hatsurei-ho Open your eyes and shake your hands up/down/left/right
for a few seconds.

Reiju is given by
Reiki Masters during the meditation part of Hatsu-rei-Ho
so if
you are receiving Reiju you will continue meditation until you are
touched on the shoulder or told that Reiju is complete.

Usui-sensei's Shuyo
ho
The Hatsurei ho taught by Mr. Doi is a modified version
of
Usui-sensei's original. How it is done originally is also described
in his book. Hatsurei-ho is called "Shuyo ho" when it is
done together in a group. It was done like this:
I. Clear one's
mind by singing Gyosei (the Waka poems of the emperor)
II. Seiza
- sit on the floor in zen style

VI. Seishin Toitsu
- continue to meditate (this is when "Reiju" is give by

teachers)

VII. Gokai sansho
- say Reiki principles aloud three times

The Aura, meridians and Energy body

Many of the hand
positions are taught by referring to the Chakra system. Usui Sensei
was probably much more familiar with the meridian channels of the
energy body which are used in traditional Japanese and Chinese
Medicine .The Reiki hand positions cover the major meridian channels
at junctions I'm told are significant to those familiar with them.

The hand positions
also cover the Chakra which Many Western Reiki teachers find simpler
to use in teaching. The positions do treat the whole being including
the non physical or energy body or aura as it is more often called in
the West. Whatever map of the energy body you use the Hand positions
will treat the entire person.

I
will go into some detail about the aura and the chakra which are part
of the aura because that is the map I learned to work with.
Your
actual physical body is only a small part of your true self .
What
you see is not all you get. The human body is not just the blood and
bones we perceive on the physical plane. We are made of energy that
permeates every layer of our being, it is us. What we know as the
physical body is just energy that is vibrating more slowly than the
energy that is beyond our standard perception. The aura or energy
field is usually invisible to the physical vision but most people can
learn to perceive it in one way or another with practice. The aura is
densest close to the body and becomes finer moving away from it .
Most human Auras extend from 1 to five feet out around the body.
though in more spiritually developed individuals it is said that they
can extend outward up to 50 feet from the body. and even further in
some cases. The Aura and energy body has layers and energetic
structures and channels and organs within it. Trauma and emotional
disturbance can create blocks and other damage in your energy body,
if this damage is not repaired and continues to occur over a time
then the outward manifestation of this is disease.
The aura is
the field of energy that permeates the body and extends out from it
from two to five feet in most people some common names for the aura
layers from the inner most dense to the outer finer or higher
vibration layer are 1. etheric 2. emotional 3. mental 4. causal 5.
etheric template 6. intuitive 7. cosmic. these names are by no means
complete or definitive and several of the individual layers and the
whole system is /are often called the astral body.
There are
many more layers of the energy body or aura than the seven most often
listed I have been told there are actually 32 and also that there are
89 but I am not in a position to count them. These aura layers are
not segregated in the way the use of the word layer might seem to
imply. Each layer of the aura interpenetrates the others and begins
at our center.

The vibration of
each level becomes finer and higher as we go from the inside out. The
aura levels do not correspond directly to the esoteric planes which
are another incredibly complex and obscure area of study. While it is
true that we are only part of a vast interconnected energy universe
we will focus on the individual human aura now.
There has been
considerable confusion and variation about the names given each of
the seven most well known aura levels. These descriptions are of
common ways the aura is perceived but are by no means the only or
definitive description. When trying to see the aura, please remember
that this is subtle energy and is not a light show. While aura
viewing is not a strong ability of mine I discovered that I had been
seeing them fairly often but had been dismissing them as optical
effects or heat waves and such, though I am better able to feel the
energy layers than to see them. The aura changes constantly it may
have a predominant color in the emotional and causal layers. The way
the aura is perceived can vary greatly from person to person so
remarks about the layers are based on a general consensus but are by
no means absolute. Size also varies greatly largely depending on the
energy level of the person and the way they use that particular part
of themselves. Stress, trauma and emotional pain can show as
distortions and blocks in the aura long before they manifest as
illness in the physical plane. Each layer is related to the chakra of
the same number.
From the inside outward from the body or
nearest the physical skin though all layers also penetrate the body.

1. Etheric: lower
astral, root chakra, a bluish or grayish layer that extends an inch
or two out from the body most associated with the physical body is
the easiest to see . some people are able to see the etheric outlines
of the internal organs . Some people see a light blue on dark blue
grid. Survival issues, the physical body function and physical
sensation of pain, pleasure, automatic functions etc.
2.
Emotional: Sacral Chakra, the emotional aspects of our lives and
being. soft multi colored clouds of light visible from one to six
inches out this is the layer most often described by aura readers it
will show dark spots or cloudy area and stagnant areas where
emotional blocks and pain exist .
3. Mental: golden grid ,Solar
Plexus Chakra, the mental body reflects the thought processes, linear
thinking. Personal power

These three bodies
are the lower astral and together are said to make up the personality
and are said to begin to be created at conception and dissolve at
death.

4. Causal: Higher
Astral, buddic ,Heart chakra multi colored clouds ,associated with
the heart and love . this connects the lower three level with the
higher three virtually all healing energy comes through this layer
it is the layer of love both specific and universal, and the first of
the spiritual layers.
5. Atmic: (Etheric template) bliss, throat
chakra, the higher aspects of the will more connection with the
divine will, speech and communication, listening, taking
responsibility for ones own actions seen by some as a blue grid light
ball around the body extending about two and a half feet out from the
body. it has been very rare for people to be really aware of
this
layer but when balanced and active it can promote a bliss and a
feeling of being moved by the divine. It is becoming more open in
people at this time. power of word, manifesting 6. Intuitive:
(monadic) ketheric template, Brow chakra, multicolored threads of
light, spiritual communication Divine Love nurturing awareness of
oneself as an aspect of what is
called, By some, God, Love of all
life and union with the all.
7. Cosmic: universal, ketheric ball
of golden or white light threads, Crown chakra, Higher mind,
connection with the divine and spiritual information and the
integration of the spiritual and physical aspects of being.

Chakra

The chakra (the
Sanskrit word for wheel) are the energy centers or vortex in your
aura that govern and regulate the energy entering and flowing
throughout the physical and
energy bodies. They are energy
structures not physical organs . The Reiki hand positions cover the
main chakra centers and the main meridian channels that the life
force flows through. Adding the shoulder and hip positions to your
treatment also covers the Hawaiian AO energy centers as well. Running
energy into the feet will facilitate energy flow through all the
major channels. The chakra are aligned along the central channel
which runs along the the spinal cord. Energies move up and down and
also in a spiral in and out along this channel and side channels
called Ida and Pingala. The Caduceus, an ancient symbol of the
Healing arts is said to represent this flow. There are many
chakra major and minor we will focus on seven major chakra . From the
top down the Chakra numbers are traditional and
are numbered from
the bottom up. 7. crown ,6. the brow ,5. the throat ,4. the heart ,3.
the solar plexus ,2. the sacral (Mid stomach)and at 1. root the base
of the spine.

The functions and
deeper purposes of the chakra system is a vast area of study.
Chakras are composed of high frequency energy strands that the
spiritual eye perceives as light The life force is channeled to the
physical body and its organs via the nadis and meridians and enters
the body through the chakras. the degree of chakra activity depends
on a combination of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
development of the individual. Chakras can be damaged or blocked
through an emotional upset such as conflict, loss or, accident .
Fear, anxiety and stress are common causes of chakra malfunction, it
is the disruption of the chakra and aura that create disease and
disturb the energy balance of the chakras. Psychological problems may
cause 'blockages', obstructing the flow of energy into or out of the
chakras. In general the front aspects of the chakras correlate to our
emotional function, the back to our will function, and the top three
chakras to our reason function. Balance in our reason, will and
emotion centers is necessary to good health and well being. the
amount of energy flowing through our chakras determines how well we
function.

Palm and finger
Chakras
The chakras in the palms of the hands are often
relegated to minor status.
They are of great value in daily life
and must be open and active for sharing Reiki treatments and other
healing energies .
These chakras transmit healing energy and
receive energetic information from the universe. The palm chakras
are used to channel healing energies to yourself and others and to
receive impressions of the energy of a room, person, situation, etc.
These chakras make a major difference in the quality of life when
they can be opened by intention. practice in becoming aware of the
energy of the palm chakras is essential if you are at all interested
in energy work and spiritual healing. healing chakras also activate
in the fingertips.

Transpersonal
chakras

The most important
of the transpersonal chakras are the thymus or etheric heart in the
upper chest which governs compassion and inner peace and the
connection to world soul. The Soul Star about a foot above the head
which brings in spiritual energy from the spiritual core and helps us
connect with spiritual energy and information.
The Earth Star
about a foot below our feet that brings in and connects us to the
Earth energies and information . It is important to develop the Soul
Star and Earth Star simultaneously.
The Tan Tein or Hara located
about two finger widths below the navel on most people is a vital
center for connection and storage of vital energies and concrete
awareness of the spiritual.

The most important
evolution happening at this time in the energy body is the
unification of the chakra functions all the chakras are beginning to
work together more than in the past. The Reiki treatments and
Attunements from the author include attunement to help with
harmonizing the chakras.

Energy
Balls and other non Reiki energy exercises
Energy balls are
not a standard Reiki practice but can be a useful way to develop your
awareness of energy.

This exercise
helps us become more aware of the energy field around us, and the
influence we have over it. The energy ball is a very common and basic
core technique for becoming aware of and directing energy. Personal
energy can be felt and universal chi or energy can be used as a way
of delivering other frequencies of healing energy too. Begin by
holding your hands a foot or so apart, bringing them slowly toward
each other, until you feel a slight resistance between them. It will
feel as though a mass of energy has built up between your hands.
Feel all around this energy with your hands, feeling the shape of the
packet of energy you have gathered. Fashion it into a ball shape. For
some this ball will begin by being cup sized, for others it will be a
big beach ball. This may take some practice to feel. some people do
not sense energy this way at all. Sometimes people don't feel their
own energy ball, but they would feel other people's because the
frequency is slightly different. If you do not feel the energy ball
might want to try this slight variant.
Begin by rubbing your
hands together briskly until they are warm then starting at about a
foot apart move your hands back and forth fairly fast shortening the
distance and slowing a bit as you continue to build and form the
energy ball you may also try scooping motions from a bit above your
head .

Treatment with
energy ball
Move your hands back and forth as though
clapping in slow motion until you have a sense of your aura. Then
feel or envision or imagine the energy forming a ball of healing
light. Pumping or scooping motions to help draw in more Chi are often
quite effective.
When you feel or imagine a nice big ball of
energy between your hands take the energy ball to your recipient and
lower, push, put it into their body you can either put it in and
smooth it down and make another ball and keep doing it until you feel
done or you can take the ball and envision it as a collector to
gather and sweep the illness or imbalance
away disperse it to the
Earth or the Light to be transformed when you are done envision the
one being treated bathed in healing light. White is the most common
but I like rainbow and golden light myself.
Envision healing
energy flowing from your hands and going to where it is needed. You
can imagine and visualize your energy fingers growing longer so that
you can reach into a body to remove energetic gunk stuck within the
energy body.
Another exercise to try is to place your hands
together gently intend to activate your personal chi or ask for
spiritual energy and allow it to expand and build up moving your
hands apart you can do this with Reiki. I learned these with chi.

You can use a
pumping motion to become aware of and build up your own energy . You
can scoop in universal chi from your surroundings. you can run a
shakti such as Reiki into the space or ball you create between your
hands and use it as a carrier of healing in many different subtle
touch systems many general spiritual healers use energy balls .

Place your energy
ball down in front of you. Pass your hand across the area, including
both the space where the ball is, and where it isn't. Do you feel a
difference? Can you feel where the ball is? It may feel warmer,
cooler, tingling, denser, etc. You could toss it at a person who
agrees , or pet an animal with it and see if they can feel it. Some
animals will definitely react
to your ball of energy. The people
can tell you if they felt anything. Have them close their eyes and
see if they feel when it touches them. Close your eyes and try to
feel it. Try making the ball snowball sized or smaller. Manipulate
the size and/or
shape of your energy ball. Experiment. Take an
energy ball that you have made, and press the ball into your heart
chakra. Press it into your 3rd eye. Press it against your skin, and
see what you feel.

There are other
ways to work with energy balls. You can use it to begin distance
sending or to smooth the aura at the end of treatments. you can comb
the aura with one or use energy balls as the way to deliver the
healing energy I had always thought of the energy ball and the
sending, seeing, clearing balls as being different things. I build
the healing energy ball between my hands and can send it out to
others with intention or place it by proxy in the remote healing
procedure.

Other balls are
visualized outside the body then filled with energy. They can be
observed to "see" events or information or to used to send
an affirmation or to fill with a manifestation visualization . They
can be sent out to retrieve lost energy of your own they can be
filled with your anger fears or with pain etc. Then charged with
light /energy to dissolve and transform "negative" energy.

Using your hands to
build an energy ball will work just fine for these other purposes
too.
To be effective at energy work it is of great value to know
how to ground and center yourself connecting with the spiritual heart
of the earth and Source and calling yourself together aligning your
thoughts and personal entirety in a solid focused state. this is a
frequent basic practice in virtually all forms of spiritual work ,
healing, meditation, manifestation , protection releasing and is of
itself often profoundly healing not only should every one learn to
ground in the way they feel most comfortable with. Seeing that the
person you are treating knows how to ground may be the most valuable
part of your healing and energy work sessions.

Sensing Energy
Not every one does feel or see energy Reiki still works for
them just as well as it works for those who do feel energy .
Many people find that if they rub their hands together vigorously
first they can feel energy more easily . After rubbing your hands
together vigorously to sensitize them if this helps you be more
aware of energy, Run your hands over your own body or that of the
being wanting a treatment holding your hands about an inch away from
the physical body. Feel for hot and cold spots in the energy field.
Pull out and throw away anything you feel intuitively that you should
pull out and envision healing light filling any place where you
remove blocks or that feels empty or that you feel needs it.

Combing and
fluffing the aura with your fingers as though combing hair can also
help clear and lighten the aura. You can also feel for the energy of
the Chakra and encourage them to be open and clear and be well
seated in the central energy channel. If you feel sticky or dark
energy as you do this you can give it to Spirit, the Light, Earth to
be transformed.

In addition to
pulling out blocks and overcharges in the energy field. Visualize and
allow spiritual healing energy to flow freely and fill and charge the
person or other, being treated do not try to do anything just allow
it to happen you are not using your own personal chi because while
many healers do use it you could drain yourself if you did and
create illness in your self. Using the universal spiritual chi is
more effective in any case. be a neutral channel for the energy and
you may be amazed by the long term results this is the first formal
method I used. I have seen at least one genuine "miracle"
from this technique alone (well, with some pretty intense prayer
thrown in.) This is something that anyone can do. Attunements and
other training will usually strengthen and increase the reliability
of these methods and it must be of true benefit and desire for the
person to heal. We can not and should not define what really is the
best possible outcome in most situations but allow spirit to work.
Sometimes in order for a positive outcome to occur the first apparent
result will be a setback.

When you do the
Reiki or other energy work you do not work at it at all you just put
your hands on or send mentally either from your hands it is allowing
the natural life force to flow. or ask and invite angels and healing
spirits of the highest order to help you. sometimes you might feel an
angelic healer reach through your arms to work on the
person.

A technique for
rapid healing from injuries that often is effective is to go back in
your mind to the moment of the accident and visualize as clearly and
nearly as possible the exact event except change a detail /details so
that the accident, injury, trauma , does not happen you are not in
any way hurt, repeat the visualization over and over make it as real
as possible ,if it is practical to act out the event as closely
as possible in the physical world - as almost slamming the door on
your hand that can make this even more effective. If you are in pain
and the pain is reduced then its ok to drop the visualization but
keep reinforcing this vision . You can run Reiki while you do this to
enhance the effectiveness.
I have used this on cut fingers and
on chronic knee pain with good results for speeding healing.
Theoretically this is more effective if done soon after an injury but
I have used it on injuries and traumatic experiences from years back
with good results.

RAINBOW BATHS

Running colors,
visualizing bathing in colored light is another common way to clear
and revitalize the energy field in addition to gold light any and all
of the spectrum colors can be used or fine filaments of rainbow
crystalline light . as well as running Reiki into your bath water. I
have Reikied my shoes and my bed and massage tables and feel that
this does increase comfort .
final note
Reiki will work
without a lot of adornment and additions but for personal spiritual
development, self knowledge and happiness
a regular practice of
some form of meditation is extremely helpful.

The best way to
learn to use Reiki is to use Reiki.

Reiki
one Manual
Bibliography (this is not complete ) and listing here
is not intended to indicate whole hearted recommendation in every
case.

Sogyal Rinpoche,
in his book, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, suggests that to
belong to a particular lineage is to embrace a particular set of
ideas and prescribed way of practicing. In a lineage, the last or
latest in the line, does things and teaches pretty much the same as
the first of the line, even if that line goes back thousands of
years. If that is so perhaps I should not claim any lineage because
while I honor tradition, many of the ideas and practices I embrace
come from a personal and intuitive experience. I strive to teach and
attune in a way that helps people realize their own inner knowledge.

Peggy Jentoft is a
Reiki Master Teacher of multiple lineages.
Her personal Master Teachers have included Alexis Somerfield (.K
Guererro) ,Marcie Rose , Sandra Mariana , Jennifer Alexandra, and she
has exchanged attunements and information with over two dozen Reiki
teachers from Lineage of at least eight of the twenty two Takata
Reiki Masters plus teachers from two non Takata linages. She also has
received information and attunement from direct Spiritual
transmission in many different energy modalitys.
She has been attuned to Tera Mai , Karuna Ki, Seichem, Menchos
,Gemstone, Unlimited, Full spectrum ,
Magnussa Phoenix , Fusion and so many other variants that she has
lost count. She finds that most of the useful functions attributed to
these and other variants can already be accessed
within the regular Reiki system.

She
is also a
Drisana Seventh level practitioner, A Malaka Huna Fifth level
practitioner, founder of the Crystal Healing Empowerments,
Crystal Deva Empowerments and Huna Empowerments. She Teaches
Reiki, Crystal Healing, and Personalized Energy Work in La Mirada Ca.
As a Healing minister Ordained by Chrysalis Ministries. Peggy Jentoft has
over forty years experience and study in metaphysics, healing
modalities and multiple systems of energy work.